Analog TV shutdown all but set for 2009

Mark your calendar for
February 17, 2009. That's the date set by Congress, as part of a sweeping budget-cutting bill, that broadcasters will
be mandated to shut down their analog broadcasts (both the Senate and broadcasters had previously
agreed to the date, so the bill now only awaits the President's signature to become law). However, if you can't bear to
part with that old Philco or Admiral, you won't have to toss it. The government will be setting aside $1.5 billion in
subsidies to help consumers get converters to allow older analog sets to receive digital broadcasts. And, no, you can't
request a piece of that to pick up a 60-inch plasma, so don't even think about it.